Apparently love can be crippling, as seen with the collapse of the Pont des Arts bridge in Paris. The bridge is a tourist attraction where lovers from across the world come to attach a lock with their initials to its railing then throw the key into the Seine river below, symbolizing their everlasting love. Yet this past Sunday, June 8, part of the railing on the footbridge collapsed under the weight of the locks—and love.
The phenomenon that has inspired over 700,000 couples to fasten metal locks onto the bridge has stirred up controversy in Paris. For some time now, many have protested the unsightly defacing of bridges with locks, and have even created a campaign called “No Love Locks.”
“I know it seems romantic, a lock signifying your everlasting love fastened forever to a bridge in the City of Light – and sure, a few years ago it was quite a novel and charming idea. But now, dear tourists, much like the Real Housewives series, it’s just too much of a good thing. The delicate Pont des Arts has become a freakish glut of indistinguishable metal lumps, and worse, is now in mortal danger,” insists Lisa Anselmo, creator of the “No Love Locks” campaign.
The city’s new mayor, Anne Hidalgo, has been reluctant to take action towards removing the locks due to the fact that it is a widespread tourist attraction, yet this could change after the incident. While the bridge reopened on Sunday night, many are relentless about stopping this tradition.
Bruno Julliard, an official in charge of cultural affairs in Paris, told the Agence France-Presse that the incident “reinforces our conviction that there is a real necessity to find an alternative.”
What do you think will happen? Will tourists stop locking their love up on the bridge, or will it continue to be a symbol of everlasting affection for years to come?
Thousands of padlocks clipped by lovers are seen on the fence of the Pont des Arts over the River Seine.
Credit: Charles Platiau/Reuters
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